Nail-dryer

Abstract

A clamshell housing encloses a nail dryer. The housing includes a cover pivotally connected to a base. The cover may be opened by applying leverage to it and exposing a nail drying zone. The cover may be pivotally closed to form a compact package when not in use. A nail drying fan is actuated when the cover is opened thus closing an electrical circuit. The electrical connection is interrupted when the cover is tipped into a closed position.

We claim: 
     
       1. Nail-dryer comprising a hollow body (1) in which are mounted: fan blades (12) coupled to the end of the shaft (11) of an electric motor (10),   an independent electric power supply;   means of electrical connection (17, 18) for the electrical connection of the said motor (10) to the said independent electric power supply;   an air inlet (13) for admitting air sucked in by the blades (12);   an air outlet (14) providing an exit for the air driven by the blades (12) and directed towards a drying zone (9) intended to receive the fingertips or ends of toes of the user, characterised in that:   the hollow body (1) is in two parts hinged to each other, namely a base (2) and a cover (3),   the base (2) is shaped in such a way as to rest on a support,   the cover (3) covers at least part of the base (2),   the cover (3) is hinged to the base along a transverse axis (I--I) allowing it to pivot so as to accommodate at least one open position in which the cover (3) allows access to a drying zone (9) located between the base (2) and the cover (3), and a closed position in which the cover (3) covers the base (2) and the said drying zone (9),   means of electrical connection, comprising means for switching (17, 18) connected in series between the independent power supply and the motor (10), are actuated by the cover (3) so as to establish the electrical connection and supply the motor (10) when the cover (3) is tipped into the open position, and so as to break the electrical connection and cut off the power supply to the motor (10) when the cover (3) is tipped into the closed position.   
     
     
       2. Nail-dryer according to claim 1, characterised in that: the transverse axis (I--I) on which the cover (3)is hinged to the base (2) is located in an intermediate region of the cover (3) and the base (2), separating respective front portions of the base (5) and the cover (7) and respective rear portions of the base (6) and the cover (8),   when the cover (3) is in the closed position, the front portion of the cover (7) is near the front portion of the base (5),   when the cover (3) is in the open position, the front portion of the cover (7) is separated from the front portion of the base (5) so as to form the drying zone (9),   tipping the cover (3) towards its open position is achieved by pushing, with the hand or foot of the user, the rear portion (8) of the cover towards the base (2),   tipping the cover towards its closed position is achieved by pushing the front part of the cover (7) towards the base (2).   
     
     
       3. Nail-dryer according to claim 2, characterised in that the hinge axis (I--I) of the cover (3) is located near the rear third of the cover (3) and the base (2). 
     
     
       4. Nail-dryer according to claim 3, characterised in that the motor (10) and the blades (12) are fitted into the cover (3), while the independent power supply is mounted in the base (2). 
     
     
       5. Nail-dryer according to claim 3, characterised in that the motor (10), the blades (12) and the independent power supply are mounted in the base (2). 
     
     
       6. Nail-dryer according to claim 5, characterised in that the means for switching comprise at least one flexible conducting contact strip (18) attached to one part of the body and so arranged as to come into contact with at least one electric conductor (17) attached to the other part of the body when the cover (3) is in the open position, and so as not to be in contact with the said electric conductor (17) when the cover (3) is in the closed position. 
     
     
       7. Nail-dryer according to claim 6, characterised in that the flexible conducting contact strip (18) is fixed to the base (2) and comes into contact with an output conductor (17) from the motor (10) when the cover (3) is in the open position.   
     
     
       8. Nail-dryer according to claim 7, characterised in that the motor (10) is located slightly behind the hinge axis (I--I) of the cover (3). 
     
     
       9. Nail-dryer according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover (3) is removable by disconnecting the hinge pin so as to provide access to the inside in order to change the cells forming the independent power supply.